Also known as Sammy or Samuel, Sam's overtly patriotic spirit distinguishes him from the rest of the Muppet cast, as does his general stuffiness and pomposity.

The Great Gonzo, who plays Charles Dickens, as well as the narrator, corrects him and says that the line is, "It is the British way," since the story is set in the United Kingdom.

Throughout the first season of The Muppet Show, Sam introduces his favorite singing duo, Wayne and Wanda, with gushing aplomb, praising them for their appropriateness.

Although they are never able to finish a song (their routines always end with slapstick violence), Sam still adores them because they appeal to his conservative sensibilities: the couple sings old standards like "You Do Something to Me" and "It's Only a Paper Moon".

Railing against the audience and "indecency" and "low brow" humor, Sam calls Cooper a "demented, sick, degenerate, barbaric, naughty, Freako!"

On Muppets Tonight, Sam periodically hosted a debate show a la The McLaughlin Group, entitled From The Eagle's Nest.

On Jim Henson's Animal Show, Sam was the only Muppet character to make a crossover appearance, guest-starring in the third-season episode "Bald Eagle".

He is later seen as one of the phone operators of The Muppet Telethon and as part of the barbershop quartet performing "Smells Like Teen Spirit" with Rowlf the Dog, Link Hogthrob and Beaker.